In the early-to-mid-1970s everyone was gearing up to celebrate the U. S. Bicentennial coming in 1976. This included Chevrolet, who cooked up the Nova Spirit of America special edition in 1974. Production numbers were neither large nor small at more than 14,000 copies. The seller’s car is one of those red, white, and blue automobiles that looks to be in great shape with less than 35,000 babied miles. Located in Oceanside, California, this tribute to 1776 is available here on craigslist for $40,000. A salute goes to Pat L. for this cool tip!
These automobiles came in the hatchback version of the Nova that was available beginning with its 1973 restyle. They were finished in Antique White with red and blue stripes and accent decals. In the passenger compartment, the materials were made of a combination of red and white and were quite distinctive and patriotic. We’re not sure if any other engine was available with the Spirit package, but the seller’s car has a 350 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and 3-speed automatic transmission. That’s as potent as it got in 1974.
This is not the first time this car has been on the market. It was listed here on Bring A Trailer in the Summer of 2022 and was bid to $26,000 without the reserve being met. Since the aftermarket wheels and license plates are the same in the photos for that listing, we conclude that it didn’t sell and has been relisted, this time in the broader market at $14,000 more than the BAT auction (perhaps this was the reserve the seller was trying to reach last year).
We’re told this Chevy is rust-free, perhaps due to its being a California car. No indication is made of any body or paint work having been done, so we assume what we see here is original. What’s not original is that some parts (besides the wheels) have been replaced in the last year, including the water pump, shocks, and filters, and the car was given a tune-up. When a deal is struck, the Nova will go with its original tires and wheels as a bonus and the fancy Alpine multimedia stereo system that was installed. This looks like a sweet ride, but it’s priced in territory that’s starting to get close to that of a Nova SS. But when was the last time you saw a Spirit of America Nova, especially in this condition?
I’d forgotten how good looking the graphics were on these. 40 large seems ambitious. Maybe? It’s a shame they cut the dash for the stereo. It’s in pretty amazing survivor shape otherwise.
It’s tradition in American society to rip out the old stereo and hacksaw the dashboard, door panels, rear deck, and wiring harness for a “better” stereo. For some reason good sound is more important than gaping holes and hanging wires..
Maybe they liked to crank up Spirit of America in their Spirit of America.
https://youtu.be/qKJcA2foaH4
Tom, the tradition you speak of is partially true. But there is another side to this that includes sometimes opening up panels – but not mutilating them, and installations that are not invasive and done tastefully. And for the record, the cavernous trunks on many 60s and 70s American cars made for excellent speaker baffles – when done right.
These days, evidence of a bad installation (hanging wires,etc.) is more of an indicator of a car to steer clear of – for the things you can’t see.
The seller probably wanted to crank up Spirit of America in their Spirit of America!
https://youtu.be/qKJcA2foaH4
Worth every dollar for the precious time capsule that it is. I remember seeing this car in that era.
There was an Impala and Vega Spirit of America. I do not recall the Monza, probably because the Monza didn’t appear until 1975.
I think you’re right. If I remember correctly, there were three SoA models. I remember the Impala, the Nova, but I couldn’t remember the third until you mentioned Vega. The first one I saw unloaded at the dealership I worked at was the Impala. I didn’t know they were even coming until then.
I remember the Monza spirit it was white with graphics like the Nova spirit.
I remember the Monza spider but it was white with graphics similar like the Nova spirit.
Previously offered on Bring A Trailer. RNM for $26K
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-chevrolet-nova-6/
Only can bring 26K of bids on BAT, so increase the ask to 40K and hope that someone values the car as much as you do.
Doesn’t make any sense to me. A production of 14K is not exactly rare and 35K is not exactly low mileage. But, if your dream is to own one of these, this may be the best choice.
Chevy also made a Vega with this color/stripe treatment.
Also V8 monzas my buddy had one Manuel trans swapped in built 350 original Wheels I think they were 13 in , original drift car I remember going up I-71 in KY sideways 70 mph.
That red, white and blue Monza was likely a Spyder and not a SoA model.
Sharp car in nice condition and those stripes with the black vinyl work as well as the interior color combo.Haven’t seen one of these in I don’t know how long.Those aftermarket wheels look tasteful too and work with this car.40k sharp not to me.25 -30k I could see imo.I have a red white and blue passenger side plasic dash emblem with the bowtie in the middle I got out of a junkyard when I was 16 going emblem picking sitting next to my old GE telechron garage clock for decades #332020 is raised on the back I got curious and just checked it.Can’t remember what spirit of America chevy I pried it off.I think a Chevelle or elco.glwts.
Wow! Haven’t seen one of these since they were new. $40k seems a stretch, but older Nova’s have hit the $50k and up mark, so maybe this is the trend. Ford did the same thing with the Mustang, Pinto, and maybe the Maverick.
My previous comment seems to have been deleted.
Trying again
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This was previously listed on Bring A Trailer and RNM at $29K
Fishing, not worth 40 K in my opinion. As I remember they did the whole Chevy lineup. Nice it survived but it’s a big bumper smog era Nova.
That’s a 4 wheel time capsule for sure.first nova i’ve seen with that graphics package.the only thing it would probably need is a real 350,instead of the emasculated,smog era engine it came with.
Love it beautiful car. I wonder how much it cost new that’s all I would pay for it being broke. If I was selling it I would ask no more than 15 thou I guess I’m to nice of a guy.
The market has spoken, the seller is dreaming at $40k.
If the car previously didn’t sell at $26k (per the article information), how in the world does this seller believe they will get $40k?
I wonder what reaction you’d get today driving a “USA” themed vehicle. Cheers? Jeers? In case you missed it, the 70s was a huge upheaval in marketing. Foreign goods were rapidly gaining speed, and a big anti-American sentiment, still raw from the war, was present. Detroit needed something, and quick. Most all jumped in, American Motors, the most obvious, Dodge Rebellion, but GM, I think, milked it to the max, with every division with some entry. I don’t recall Ford with any entries, typical.
Loyalty will cost ya’, and the “Spirit” Nova cost almost $1500 more than a base Nova( $3579) and you didn’t get a heck of a lot more, except good ol’ USA pride, and can’t put a price on that.
As I mentioned, above, Ford had the same red, white and blue stripe package offered on at least three models at around the same time, if not earlier than Chevy. It was called the Sprint package. Were you not around then?
Nope, just got off the boat yesterday,,,
The Ford Sprint models were I’m 1963, not 1973. Nearly bought a Falcon Sprint convertible myself when I was in college.
According to GM Heritage the base Nova (L6) 4-door sedan listed for $2706 while the Nova Custom (V8) hatchback carried a MSRP of $3109. In CA the LM1 cost an additional $49. The only Nova model eligible for the $355 SoA package (Z51) was the Custom hatchback.
It got away? On bat? Hmmmm
Forty grand? Just stop it. Seriously.
Fantastic car in today’s sea of gray and silver cars and bloated SUVs with the ugliest matching depressing bland interiors available. I love the Nova and it has the right size, engine for 1974 and hatchback versatility. Ad does not say if the car even has air conditioning. Further $40,000 is highway robbery for a 49 year old compact car! Kudos to Russ Dixon for finding the auction bid price. $26,000 is too much and the seller adds $14,000 more to find a sucker?
40000 for what? It’s a 74 nova with stripes. Nothing fancy or performance wise to ask this number. That’s just crazy thinking. He should have taken the 26000 bid and ran to the bank.
Agreed 100%
This car doesn’t have the sliding fabric top and they wanted 40 large
It’s too bad he destroyed the body on this Nova by adding the destructive side moldings. Not only are they ugly but they cannot be removed without requiring body work and a full paint job. Removing them will leave 1/8″ holes all down the side since they are attached with pop rivets.
It’s funny I just mentioned to someone at a car show last weekend that I have been looking for a Spirit of America package car for years now – and here one pops up. I had the Vega, but there were also packages for Impalas and El Caminos. Forty large is out of my budget, and the car has been ruined by those stupid belt molding bumpers
The Spirit of America is still alive! My neighbors up the street had TWO of them! Can you believe that. It’s true. In 1974 I was 10yrs old and I used to ride my bike around and go talk to the neighbors. Well , one day while I was delivering my newspapers I threw one up on their front porch and the Dad came out and said that his wife was coming home with their new 1974 Chevy Impala “Spirit of America “ and she drove into the driveway with a 1974 Chevy Nova “ Spirit of America “. He said “ Hey, where’s the Impala?”. She said “Oh, it’s still on the way, but they had this Nova in stock so I got it “ Next week they got their Impala. They ended up with TWO “ Spirit of America “ Chevys which they proudly waxed every Saturday – for 20yrs. I never knew what they did for a living – but they had money! Great article and good luck!
When me and my cousin were sixteen seventeen he bought a nova exactly like this car except he had the original rally wheels that he had on the car.being that the nova has the turn signals in the grill, we were cruising around one night and came across a drunk driver i told my cousin to come up behind the car and put your four ways on he said why the driver ahead of us will think it’s a cop and pull over.he finally agreed to do it and we did that driver pulled over and I told him to go around and he did we were laughing our butts off I told my cousin see I told you it would work lol!
I had a relative who had one of these. Harsh midwest winters with snow and salt were not kind to it. Became a rust haven
Once again they have copied the plymouth duster canopy roof.
Bill
Amazing!!
I had one of these and still want one.
When I graduated from college in Ohio( 1975) there was one on a car lot . 3,500 miles and perfect.
I got this as a graduation present .I drove that car forever and took great care of it.
In 1979, driving from Wisconsin to Alabama for my wedding we held her steady at 55 mph and got 14 mpg.!!!!!
I have 10 cars in my small collection . This just might be my 11th.
Great memories
I learned how drive in the Vega version of the SoA. It was an upgrade from the ‘66 Falcon station wagon that was retired just as I started to drive. The Vega was lot easier to drive than the arm strong steering of the Falcon. The Vega lasted through the late eighties mostly due my mom driving habits. She traded it in due the rust eating most of the car.
I think what u guys were saying about the Monza. It was white and called the mirage with all the red and blue stripes (tape,decals) on it with the mirage lettering too. And it only came in the hatchback. It was a 75 or 76 if I’m correct.
Mirage had bulging rear quarters.
The one I mentioned above was not a Spyder or Mirage someone may have added the decals,I remember for sure it was red white and blue and scary fun.
Here’s a short article about the Spirit of America program by Murilee Martin, an AutoWeek writer whom I enjoy his articles.
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1832361/1974-spirit-america-drives-red-white-and-blue-chevrolets/
Jay mentioned a Falcon Sprint. He is correct in that it was a model in the 1963 Falcon line up. A 260 V-8 engine, with the buckets and console from the Futura, and many had a 4 speed on the floor, but you could also get a column automatic or column 3 speed with the package. The Ford Sprint was about 1972 due to the Olympics. Had a 72 Fastback Mustang with that trim package. White exterior, with shield decals on the rear quarter panels. Bucket seats in white vinyl with blue cloth inserts and red piping, blue panels on the center of the hood with red pinstriping. Your choice of engine from 302/2 barrel up to 351 Cleveland/4 barrel, dual exhaust. Any transmission from 3 speed on floor, automatic or 4 speed on floor. I had a 1972 Fastback Sprint, that was a repo I bought from a bank in Oklahoma City, about 1979. Had some burned out cherry bomb mufflers, and sure sounded wicked. I think it later showed up in Mustang Monthly about 1993-4 some folks in Wichita had bought it, and did a complete “body off” restoration on it.
If the tape striping is still available or reproduced, more of these SOA’s may “start to appear” – if this one sells for 40 grand!
The HEI here is not stock – i believe factory HEI was used starting mid ’74 model year, but only on the 245 hp 350 z28 motor & big cube pont(except sd-455), buick, & olds V8s.
These may have been made in response to Ford’s earlier …
https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/72Sprint1.jpg
I believe that the big three all had a “1776” themed vehicle or two.
40k is too much for a car that is on the cusp of the malaise era.
Wait a few years for all the muscle to be even more out of reach.
I searched for a list of Bicentennial cars and found this, a Facebook group dedicated to cars, trucks, and bikes “Spirit of 76” https://www.facebook.com/groups/1678961905737084/